Senior Manager, Payroll

W.W. Grainger, Inc. • Lake Forest, IL

66d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Payroll - GUS leads end-to-end payroll operations for U.S. and Canadian employees, ensuring precision, compliance, and timely execution across all payroll functions. The role meets defined, strategic service level agreements and quality targets, while proactively identifying and executing continuous improvement opportunities to sustain and elevate performance. The leader fosters an environment where employee expectations are anticipated and consistently met with a strong focus on compliance to internal policies, key controls, and government regulations. The role oversees a team of payroll professionals, cultivating a high-performance culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence. This is a hybrid position that is onsite 2 days a week in Lake Forest. It can also be remote based for out of state team members. This role is available for relocation assistance. This role is eligible for an incentive plan.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Business, Accounting, Human Resources, or related field required
• 7+ years leading payroll teams in a multi-country environment (U.S. and Canada) required
• Strong hands-on experience with SAP SuccessFactors, Employee Central Payroll (ECP), and Payroll Control Center (PCC).
• Solid understanding of payroll tax, benefits, and compliance requirements in both U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions.
• Proven ability to manage vendor relationships and third-party payroll providers.

Nice To Haves

• 7+ years with payroll audits, SOX controls, and process automation preferred
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)-APA preferred

Responsibilities

• Leads end-to-end payroll operations for U.S. and Canadian employee populations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Manages and mentors a team of payroll professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Ensures the accuracy of payroll preparation and processing, payroll accounting, tax filing and remittance, benefits maintenance, and various special payments
• Develops payroll procedures; controls and supervises the preparation, documentation, and disbursement of payroll-related payments
• Navigates and understands payroll system and technology proficiently: SAP SuccessFactors, ECP, and PCC environments.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local payroll regulations, tax laws, and internal controls.
• Collaborates with HR, Finance, Benefits, and HRIS teams to support integrations, reporting, and process enhancements.
• Addresses complex payroll issues while ensuring employee experience and operational excellence, and stays current with legislative and system changes and implements changes when necessary.

Benefits

• With benefits starting on day one, our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet team members' individual needs, including:
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
• 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year.
• 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
• Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
• Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Industry: Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees